Halo: Reach beta goes live today! Intro video, timing inside

The Halo: Reach beta goes live today for everyone with a copy of ODST, and …

No more early access codes needed—the Halo: Reach beta will be available to everyone with an Halo ODST disc today. Major Nelson dropped the news via Twitter. "One more time: The Halo: Reach beta is expected to go live Monday (May 3rd) in the early evening (GMT)/late afternoon (ET)/late am (PT)," he wrote. So set your alarm for an ambiguous time in your local timezone! In case you're wondering how to access the beta, here are the official instructions.

Here to give you the information of the maps and modes of the beta is Aisha Tyler, who will also give you a somewhat awkward look at what to expect when you play.

Things to check out: the improved networking code, the ability to vote on the map and game type within the playlist, the new weapons, and the armor abilities (with a focus on the jet pack). Bungie did a great job of adding to the franchise while keeping the Halo look and feel.